The guttural and quite noisy creaking sound of the door assaulted the sense of hearing. Her eyes narrowed as the bright light seemed to be a dagger attack on her. Her frail hands flew up to block out the light.
Two days passed very slowly for the woman who was confined to a room without food and water. Her body became weak and an unwelcome fear spread throughout her body. It was exhausting for her. But thanks to this she concluded.
"Ah, it turns out that she has also experienced something like this. Her life was much more painful than my previous life which was already quite messy. I understand her feelings if she wants to commit suicide and disappear from this world. It seems like she is more suitable to be given a second chance compared to me," Elara's thoughts stuck in her head.
"You can come out."
Even as the two burly men pulled her body out, locked the room that was no longer occupied, and left her alone in the long hallway, Elara was still preoccupied with her full head.
"What exactly did you do wrong to live like this, Elara? I and your memories have merged. I feel the pain and fear left in your body."
"You're just a young girl without an adult to guide you, but why is your life so painful?" Elara bowed her head. Her hand came up to clutch her tight chest.
She didn't know who to pity now, the real Elara who had been free from torture since childhood, or the one trapped inside her body and given a second chance?
Elara rose to her feet. Her weak body staggered to the side. Fortunately, her hands quickly rested on the wall.
Her feet stepped slowly. Pale face, dry lips, and unfocused gaze. Elara didn't become weak just because she hadn't eaten and drunk for two days, but she was mentally depressed, and that suffocating feeling kept haunting her.
"I have to eat. I should at least fill my stomach for energy."
The elevator doors opened when they reached the first floor. All eyes were immediately on her. But that didn't stop Elara from stepping out of the elevator and walking towards the refrigerator.
She knew who was giving her a piercing look. She deliberately ignored it because she wanted to focus on recovering her energy.
"You don't even want to say hello to me anymore? What an ignorant woman!" cursed a woman who was among the servants.
The clothes were comfortable but still gave the impression of elegance and luxury and the jewelry on her hands and neck were dazzling. She was Calliope Winterbourne, Elara's mother-in-law, and Asher's biological mother.
According to Elara's original memories, the woman also participated in the psychological torture Elara received. The woman hated Elara so much because Elara had never given her a child, a baby that she had wanted since Elara and Asher got married.
Calliope deliberately incited the workers at the mansion to hate Elara. She repeatedly belittled and mocked her with pretty words. She was a venomous snake to Elara.
Her gaze wandered through the contents of the large, overstuffed refrigerator. Her hand reached out for the milk and downed it. She lightly wiped the milk from her lips and threw the carton in the trash.
Although she was still hungry, at least her body was feeling much better. The dry throat that kept whining was now quiet and under control.
Elara's footsteps stopped. She closed her eyes and sharpened her sense of smell. Following the alluring scent, she was made to look back. Staring at the dining table not far from her. The dining table was so full that it felt like an extravagance.
The waiters who were trying to lick Calliope immediately shut their mouths and shot a sharp look at Elara. Meanwhile, Calliope who had been sitting quietly on a chair made a grinning smile and activated snake mode.
"What do you need?"
Calliope's short question awakened Elara from the focus of her eyes which were only on the food. Her gaze lifted, looking up at Calliope who sat haughtily.
"I just want some breakfast."
The servants turned to each other until a faint smile appeared on their lips.
"Mrs. Elara, unfortunately, there is no room for you. This meal was prepared just for Madam and Sir. We had no idea that you would be coming down so soon."
"That's a pity, Mrs. Elara. The chef just left the kitchen, looks like you'll have to get your hands dirty again to cook."
"Ah, no. What if you hurt your fat fingers while cooking?"
"It's so bad, the bodyguards will have a hard time carrying you. They even have trouble just lifting a sack of rice."
"Right, that's too bad for them. They're employed by Mr. Winterbourne."
Elara was rendered speechless by the servants' sarcasm uttered with a fake smile. No, she was wrong that dealing with the servants was easy here. They had been trained directly by the haughty serpent, Calliope.
"There are many ingredients left in the kitchen. You can use them, Elly," Calliope said with a sweet smile, while the servants behind her quietly chuckled.
Her palms were clenched tightly, her jaw hardened, and her eyebrows lowered. Perhaps for Elara, this kind of humiliation was not the first time. But not for Arabella who always lived with her chin up.
"No need. I don't have much of an appetite. I'll just take one banana and leave." After saying that, Elara pulled out one banana and turned to leave.
Her steps staggered to the side. A deep frown was printed on her forehead as she felt the world around her spinning. Slowly her leg strength was taken away and she lost control of her body.
Her delicate eyes closed and her body fell to the floor. Lying down, she blinked her heavy eyes. One person caught her vision before her eyes completely closed. It was Asher who was walking leisurely in neat clothes.
"Damn, what a bad sight."
***
The eyelids that seemed to be bound by the boulder finally opened. Her blurry vision slowly became clear as she blinked repeatedly. A small moan escaped her lips. Her hand rose to massage her throbbing temple.
"What is this?"
Elara hurriedly sat up. Her gaze was fixed on the IV tube stuck in the back of her hand. Examining the silent room, she realized the situation she was in.
She was in a fairly large room. This was Elara's room. She had collapsed and was being treated here.
"Crazy family. They made me sick, but they also healed me. This is an unhealthy environment and it's very bad."
Her pair of swooping eyebrows relaxed. She put her hands together and rested her forehead there.
"I really can't avoid this situation. If I don't put up a fight, then I might be killed before three months pass. I must change my decision." Elara straightened her gaze forward.
"Status window."
"Missions."
The blue light hitting her face made Elara smile. The flash of her eyes showed strong confidence and determination.
"I must also repay the real Elara for giving me this body and giving me a second chance. I will pay with revenge. Just wait and watch quietly, Elara."
Missions:
1. Take revenge on anyone who underestimates! (0/5)
2. Get likes from the three male candidates who hate you! (0/3)
>> Details
3. Divorce your husband to gain freedom! (0/1)
4. Find the enemies that are hiding! (0/8)
Accept // Reject
Benefits of accepting: can access some life-supporting skills.
Penalty for rejection: death within three months.
"Accept," Elara decided.